With Richie McCaw and Dan Carter signed up until the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the focus now switches to Sonny Bill Williams' future in the game.
Media reports in Australia have suggested Williams and Wallaby international Quade Cooper could be packaged together in a lucrative offer to League clubs in 2013.
Cooper is contracted to the ARU until the end of next year while Williams is yet to make a decision about his future after this year's Rugby World Cup.
The pair both have the same agent but Williams, who returns from injury to the Crusaders starting lineup for Sunday's match against the top of the table Queensland Reds, is refusing to discuss his future post world cup.
He says if he starts worrying too much about his future his performances will drop off.